Chapter Summaries

After hearing Ogerpon’s true history, Xia Chi focused on repairing her mask and clearing her name rather than changing Kitakami’s villagers. Back at the Resort, he retrieved Larvitar and called Chairwoman Geeta to seek approval for his plans.

• Nemona became furious at the villagers’ treatment of Ogerpon, but Lacey stopped her from confronting them.
• Xia Chi said their priority should be clearing Ogerpon’s name, and Xuezhong agreed to repair the mask if Xia Chi supplied its missing gemstone.
• Xia Chi, Nemona, and Lacey ate lunch with Xuezhong and Grandma Shuzi, then discussed helping Ogerpon on their walk back to the Resort.
• Xia Chi retrieved Larvitar from Lin Qunzhi, where Venusaur had been entertaining the unruly Pokémon with Drop Tower.
• Xia Chi returned to his room, fed Floragato, Misdreavus, and Larvitar, then called Chairwoman Geeta for approval to pursue his plans in Kitakami.

Xia Chi gained Geeta’s covert support for uncovering Kitakami’s buried history while waiting for the Teal Mask to be repaired. He battled Nemona, then received extra coaching from Lin Qunzhi the next morning as he continued hoping to meet Ogerpon again.

• Xia Chi asked Geeta to send crystal fragments and told her he wanted to bring Kitakami’s buried history to light, and she supported him despite the potential harm to local sensibilities.
• Xia Chi decided to pursue his plan in Kitakami on his own rather than under the Paldea League’s banner.
• Nemona challenged Xia Chi, and he battled her Sliggoo, Lycanroc, and Orthworm with Floragato and Misdreavus, losing after knocking out two of her Pokémon.
• Xia Chi spent the afternoon and evening battling and spending time with Nemona, then asked Floragato to tell Ogerpon he meant no harm and was repairing the mask.
• Lin Qunzhi called Xia Chi into her room for extra coaching, and he reflected on her background and success leading Shanghai University’s Pokémon Academy.

Xia Chi had Xuezhong repair Ogerpon’s Teal Mask and gained a Tera Orb through his system, which he considered saving for a crucial tournament battle. While waiting for Ogerpon to approach him, he trained and battled in Kitakami, then started working out with Lacey and Nemona as winter dragged on.

• Xia Chi brought a Grass Tera Shard and the Teal Mask to Xuezhong, who spent hours repairing it while Leavanny kept Xia Chi from interrupting him.
• After the mask was repaired, Xia Chi learned the other three masks were kept in the Kitakami Museum and decided not to take them by force.
• Over the following days, Xia Chi battled Nemona, Lacey, and other strong Trainers, raising his Fear and earning a Tear of the Goddess and a Tera Orb from the system.
• Xia Chi examined the Tera Orb and considered using Tera Shards to change Floragato’s and Misdreavus’s Tera Types, but decided to save Terastallization for a major tournament battle.
• On February 8, Xia Chi began exercising at the Resort gym with Lacey and Nemona while Ogerpon remained absent.

Xia Chi followed Ogerpon’s tracks back to the Resort and waited for her to retrieve the repaired Teal Mask. When he welcomed her inside, Ogerpon mistook his kindness for a moment of reunion with her father and fainted.

• Xia Chi noticed small footprints in the snow that he believed belonged to Ogerpon and returned to the Resort to wait for her.
• Ogerpon secretly looked into Xia Chi’s room and saw that he had repaired the Teal Mask.
• Ogerpon remembered her father’s death and the years of being feared and blamed as the oni, then cried at Xia Chi’s compassion.
• Xia Chi invited Ogerpon inside and told her that the Teal Mask was fixed.
• Ogerpon murmured that Xia Chi reminded her of her father and fainted, while Rotom pointed out that she had called him Dad.

Xia Chi cared for the weakened Ogerpon and promised to help her recover the Teal Mask, reclaim her other masks, and reveal Kitakami’s true history. Ogerpon chose to travel with him and entered a Friend Ball, while Floragato listened outside and left a deep claw mark in the doorframe.

• Floragato grew jealous of Ogerpon on Xia Chi’s bed, but Xia Chi explained her past and calmed her; Rotom diagnosed Ogerpon as emotionally exhausted and low on energy.
• After Rotom’s nutritional paste helped Ogerpon wake, Xia Chi gave her soup and promised to help her recover her masks and expose the truth about Kitakami.
• Xia Chi told Ogerpon he hoped to keep caring for her, and Ogerpon decided she wanted to travel with him.
• Ogerpon pressed the button on Xia Chi’s Friend Ball, and Xia Chi caught her.
• Floragato eavesdropped outside the room and carved a deep mark into the doorframe with her claws.

Xia Chi introduced Ogerpon as the newest member of his Pokémon family, reassuring Floragato that she remained his most special partner. After checking Ogerpon's information, he discovered her powerful Legendary bonds and wondered why she had been unable to defeat a much weaker Mightyena.

• Xia Chi introduced Ogerpon to Misdreavus, Floragato, and Larvitar and asked them to look after her.
• Floragato reluctantly accepted Ogerpon after Xia Chi assured her that they were each other's most special partners.
• Xia Chi checked Ogerpon's Pokémon information and saw her level, formidable stats, and three bonds.
• Xia Chi learned that Ogerpon's Legendary Shadow bond raised her level cap and boosted her stats beyond level 100, while Embody Aspect granted powerful mask-matched bond effects.
• Xia Chi recalled Ogerpon's helpless fight against a Mightyena and wondered how her strength had failed her.

Xia Chi learned that Ogerpon’s Tree of Life could protect him and his allies, then comforted her as she adjusted to life at the Resort. After Ogerpon refused Nemona’s battle challenge, Xia Chi resolved to draw out Pecharunt and the Loyal Three to uncover Kitakami’s past and help her confront her trauma.

• System Bro told Xia Chi that the Tree of Life healed and strengthened bonded Pokémon, prevented status conditions, and gave all allies—including Trainers—one instance of Fatal Immunity.
• Xia Chi brought Ogerpon to the Resort buffet, where she hid from the crowd until he reassured her; Lacey met her and praised her cute face after she removed her mask.
• Ogerpon shared her sandwich with Xia Chi, and he told her that Kitakami’s cruel names did not define her and that she was the best Ogerpon in the world.
• Nemona asked to battle Ogerpon, but Ogerpon panicked and refused; Xia Chi promised not to make her fight.
• Xia Chi suspected that Pecharunt and the Loyal Three had influenced Kitakami’s villagers through their power and offerings, and he planned to lure them out to reveal the truth and avenge Ogerpon.

Xia Chi finished and published a video presenting Kitakami’s history as a tale of Pecharunt’s rule and Ogerpon’s suffering. Geeta watched the trending video begin after Cynthia urged her to see it, leaving its revelations still unfolding.

• Xia Chi spent five days creating a video about Ogerpon, Pecharunt, and the Loyal Three, using artistic embellishment to dramatize Kitakami’s history.
• Xia Chi published the video titled “Kitakami's Tragedy: Worshiping an Evil God? How the God of Desire Ruled Kitakami for Centuries!”
• Geeta brooded over Kitakami’s mayor demanding more support and over Xia Chi’s promised effort to change local attitudes.
• Cynthia messaged Geeta to watch Xia Chi’s new video, which had reached the top of P Station’s trending chart.
• Geeta opened the video and listened as Xia Chi began telling a legend set at the Loyal Three Shrine in Verdant Town.

After Xia Chi’s video exposed Kitakami’s treatment of Ogerpon and the Loyal Three, Geeta saw the backlash threaten the upcoming World Pokémon Academy Tournament. She sent Aoki to Verdant Town to support Xia Chi, who hinted that trouble was already beginning.

• Geeta watched Xia Chi’s video, which accused Kitakami of preserving a false history and exploiting Ogerpon’s story.
• Viewers flooded the video with complaints about Kitakami’s high prices, tourist fees, and secrecy surrounding Syrupy Apples, alarming Geeta as public anger grew.
• Geeta called Xia Chi and asked what he planned to do; he requested an influential Elite Four member to help control the locals.
• Geeta arranged for Aoki to travel to Verdant Town after promising him the rest of the month off with pay.
• Xia Chi abruptly ended the call after noticing something happening outside, leaving Geeta worried about the situation in Kitakami.

The Town Chief rallied Verdant Town residents to protest Xia Chi’s video about the Loyal Three, and hundreds surrounded the Kitakami Resort demanding justice. Xia Chi arrived with other tournament competitors and started a livestream to record the confrontation, leaving the crowd facing him before a huge online audience.

• The Town Chief gave a speech accusing outsiders of bullying Kitakami and urging residents to punish the person who had insulted the Loyal Three.
• Hundreds of townspeople marched to the Kitakami Resort and blocked its entrance, while Xuezhong and Shuzi followed with Leavanny.
• Xia Chi heard about the protest and went to the Resort with Sapphire, Ruby, Lacey, Nemona, and other tournament competitors.
• The Town Chief demanded to know which person was Xia Chi, and Xia Chi told Rotom to begin livestreaming and stay hidden.
• Rotom started a stream on P Station, explained the standoff to viewers, and hid more carefully after fans warned it that the townspeople might seize it.

Xia Chi exposed the Town Chief’s connection to Pecharunt, which appeared and released mind-controlling poison in Kitakami. As teachers and trainers moved to contain the danger, Xia warned them to avoid the smoke and restrain the controlled villagers.

• Xia Chi challenged the Town Chief’s demands and accused Pecharunt of manipulating Kitakami’s people.
• The Town Chief defended Pecharunt as his lord, exposing its existence and confirming Xia Chi’s account.
• Ogerpon wept as she realized the truth about her family and the Loyal Three had finally come to light.
• Pecharunt appeared and released purple toxic smoke, controlling villagers who had eaten its Toxic Mochi.
• Xia Chi warned everyone to hold their breath, then told Gladion and the others to restrain the controlled people while Paul volunteered to face Pecharunt.
• Ogerpon watched Pecharunt with fierce hatred as the confrontation began.

Ogerpon confronted Pecharunt to avenge her father, while Xia Chi helped her channel her anger into a coordinated battle. After Ogerpon smashed Pecharunt into a crater, the Loyal Three revived, leaving the fight far from over.

• Ogerpon broke free from Lacey and approached Pecharunt with her Ivy Cudgel as Lin Qunzhi and the others cleared and protected the area.
• Xia Chi asked Ogerpon to trust his commands, then had Floragato and Misdreavus use Tail Whip and Growl on her to activate Defiant and raise her Attack.
• Ogerpon crushed Pecharunt's poison chain and slammed it into the ground with her Ivy Cudgel, leaving a huge crater.
• Pecharunt struggled back to its feet and cried out as the three statues in Loyal Three Plaza cracked apart, signaling the Loyal Three's return.

Xia Chi and Ogerpon battered Pecharunt while the Loyal Three revived and arrived at the Resort. With Pecharunt still refusing to go down, Xia Chi directed Ogerpon to target Munkidori first.

• Ogerpon repeatedly hammered Pecharunt into the granite as teachers used their Pokémon to shield the Resort from the damage.
• Xia Chi noticed the Loyal Three approaching and told Ogerpon to stop attacking Pecharunt and focus on Munkidori.
• Okidogi, Munkidori, and Fezandipiti arrived, and Pecharunt gave each of them toxic mochi that strengthened them.
• Xia Chi told Ogerpon to use Throat Chop on Munkidori with only half her strength, and Ogerpon launched her attack.

Xia Chi’s Ogerpon initially overwhelmed Munkidori, but the Loyal Three and Pecharunt surrounded her and poisoned her with coordinated attacks. Just as Ogerpon appeared close to defeat, her fully charged Six Grass Bond manifested a towering Tree of Life, setting the stage for her counterattack.

• Ogerpon struck Munkidori with her Ivy Cudgel after Xia Chi warned her to anticipate its future-sensing power.
• Munkidori escaped Ogerpon’s follow-up attack, while Pecharunt, Okidogi, and Fezandipiti surrounded her and launched a coordinated assault.
• The Loyal Three and Pecharunt battered Ogerpon with Poison-type attacks, severely poisoning her despite the Six Grass Bond’s defensive boost.
• Pecharunt mocked Ogerpon and prepared to finish her, while Xia Chi silently counted down the time needed for her bond to reach its full power.
• Xia Chi told Ogerpon to prepare a counterattack as the poisonous gas vanished and the Six Grass Bond summoned the Tree of Life.

The Tree of Life healed Ogerpon and empowered her, allowing her to overwhelm Munkidori and Okidogi. Pecharunt then targeted Xia Chi, but Ogerpon intercepted its attack, and Pecharunt fled toward Oni Mountain with Fezandipiti still under its control.

• The Tree of Life purified Ogerpon's poison and injuries, restoring her strength and deepening her trust in Xia Chi.
• Ogerpon struck Munkidori with Throat Chop and Okidogi with Zen Headbutt, then battered them while the Tree of Life healed her from the others' attacks.
• Pecharunt abandoned its assault on Ogerpon and launched a massive poisonous chain at Xia Chi; Floragato and Misdreavus formed Protect barriers in front of him.
• Ogerpon rushed to Xia Chi and took Pecharunt's chain attack head-on, shattering it against her body.
• Pecharunt fled toward Oni Mountain after its attack failed, while Fezandipiti tried to follow and Pecharunt kept it under toxin control.

Ogerpon caught Pecharunt after he fled, defeated him, and asked Xia Chi what to do with him. Xia Chi rejected Pecharunt’s offer to serve him and ordered Ogerpon to kill him.

• Ogerpon pursued Pecharunt and struck him back beneath the Tree of Life with her Ivy Cudgel.
• Pecharunt survived Ogerpon’s attacks, then begged her to spare him and offered to serve Xia Chi.
• Ogerpon asked Xia Chi what to do with Pecharunt as Rotom relayed Pecharunt’s plea to the livestream viewers.
• Xia Chi refused to take Pecharunt as his Pokémon and decided he could not be allowed to live.
• Xia Chi ordered Ogerpon to kill Pecharunt, and she raised her Dark-energy-charged Ivy Cudgel to strike.

Xia Chi had Ogerpon kill Pecharunt and the Loyal Three, ending their threat despite the Verdant Town chief’s protests. The chief fainted, the townspeople mourned, and Xia Chi defended his decision to his livestream viewers.

• Xia Chi killed Pecharunt, prompting the Verdant Town chief to rage over the death of his supposed guardian deity.
• Xia Chi told Ogerpon to deal with the Loyal Three, and she understood that he was provoking the chief and continued toward them.
• Ogerpon struck Okidogi, Munkidori, and Fezandipiti with her Ivy Cudgel until they vanished into pinkish-purple energy particles.
• The chief collapsed in grief as the townspeople mourned the Loyal Three and some looked at Ogerpon with hatred.
• Xia Chi told his livestream viewers he had not harmed the chief, while viewers debated the killings and suggested he could claim self-defense.
• Xia Chi reasoned that killing Pecharunt and the Loyal Three had prevented them from escaping custody and threatening Kitakami or the wider world.

After the Kitakami battle, Geeta asked Xia Chi about the fate of Pecharunt and offered him a reward for saving the region. Xia Chi requested a future partnership with the Paldea League on research from Area Zero, and Geeta promised to make it happen.

• The Legendary Pokémon battle’s aftermath turned Kitakami into a major news story, and locals who tried to protest Xia Chi were stopped by visiting tourists.
• Geeta asked Xia Chi whether Pecharunt and the Loyal Three were truly dead, and Xia Chi warned that Pecharunt might be able to revive itself and control people again.
• Xia Chi reassured Geeta that Kitakami had become more popular with tourists after the incident exposed the truth about its history.
• Geeta thanked Xia Chi on behalf of herself and the Paldea League, then asked what reward he wanted for his role in the incident.
• Xia Chi asked to share ownership with the Paldea League of any discoveries from his future research in Area Zero.
• Geeta promised that she would prevent outside interference and ensure the partnership went through.

After Geeta helped resolve the Kitakami crisis, Xia Chi prepared for the World Pokémon Academy Tournament and opened a Prismatic Orb. He learned that Pokémon Shards could advance a Pokémon, leaving him with new ways to strengthen his underleveled Larvitar.

• Geeta and Xia Chi discussed Kitakami's development, and she invited him to join Paldea's League, but he refused.
• Xia Chi asked Geeta to keep Ogerpon's capture secret and to recover Ogerpon's three other masks; Geeta agreed.
• After Geeta and Aoki took over the Kitakami handover, Xia Chi considered his three-on-three tournament roster and worried about Larvitar's low level.
• Xia Chi received a Prismatic Orb for his perfect combat-round score and opened it to obtain a Radiant Item Upgrade Tool, two Larvitar Pokémon Shards, and two Basic Equipment Forges.
• The system explained that Pokémon Shards could advance a Pokémon, increasing its level, level cap, stats, and one chosen attribute.

Xia Chi upgraded Larvitar to two stars, triggering his evolution into Pupitar and strengthening his constitution. He also upgraded Misdreavus’s Hextech Gunblade and forged Blue Buff and Titan’s Resolve for his team ahead of the tournament.

• Xia Chi chose to enhance Larvitar’s Fighting type and upgraded him to Larvitar · ★★, causing the sleeping Pokémon to evolve into Pupitar.
• Xia Chi selected Pupitar’s constitution for his level-20 Late Bloomer evolution, raising his Special Defense and constitution by 30%.
• Xia Chi upgraded Misdreavus’s Hextech Gunblade into a radiant item, doubling its attack and omnivamp bonuses.
• Xia Chi opened two Basic Equipment Forges, chose a Tear of the Goddess and a Recurve Bow, and combined them with existing items.
• Xia Chi crafted Blue Buff for Misdreavus and Titan’s Resolve for Floragato, saving Pupitar’s equipment for after the next combat round.